Machine for filling envelopes or bags also in controlled atmosphere

ABSTRACT

A machine for filling bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, consisting of a prismatic wheel (G), having polygonal shape and provided on each side with at least a couple of opposite prehensile equipments (M), whose mutual horizontal distance can be regulated to handle bags or envelopes having different dimensions.

FIELD OF THE ART

The present invention refers to the technological field of machines for the automatic filling of envelope or bags containers. In particular, the present invention concerns a filling machines of envelopes or bags also under controlled atmosphere, having a vertical axis wheel structure.

STATE OF THE ART

Several types of envelopes or bags filling machines, with horizontal conveyers, are known.

Such filling machines are usually cumbersome and demand complex interventions for the change of the envelopes' or bags' dimensions. Furthermore, the known filling machines present problems for adjusting them to the filling of envelopes or bags under controlled atmosphere.

The problem to be solved, is to realize a universal filling machines that could fill, with simple adjustments, envelopes or bags of different dimensions, also under controlled atmosphere.

The solution proposed is a based on a structure having polygonal wheel protected in the upper zone with a bell, kept under controlled atmosphere, inside which the envelopes or bags are inserted from the bottom up with their upper edge still closed, to be then opened, filled, re-closed and sealed.

Each side of the polygonal wheel is set up with at least a couple of opposite prehensile equipments having the following features:

-   -   they are simultaneously closed by springs that keep the bags in         a steady catching position;     -   they can be simultaneously opened, in proximity of the feeding         station, to allow the initial insertion of the empty bags or         envelopes;     -   they can be simultaneously opened, in proximity of the loading         station, for the final removal of the envelopes or bags filled         and sealed;     -   they are symmetrically opposite with respect to the middle point         of their mutual horizontal distance;     -   such mutual horizontal distance is initially adjustable to         handle envelopes or bags of different dimensions;     -   they can be simultaneously inclined to improve the opening of         the mouth of the envelope or bag being caught;     -   they are simultaneously brought back to the initial position         removing such inclination to optimize the closing of the mouth         of the envelope or of the filled bag;     -   each prehensile equipment needs to be opened upon command, and         then to be closed by the spring and to remain steadily closed         under the action the said spring;     -   it needs to translate tangentially and parallel to the sides of         the polygon;     -   it needs to be inclined and remain steadily inclined while         converging towards the mid point of the mutual horizontal         distance with respect to the opposite matching prehensile         equipment;     -   It needs to steadily eliminate such inclination and regain the         initial position, reciprocally parallel to the opposite matching         equipment.

The operational combination of the all the features described above is realized, in the finding object of the present industrial invention, with bars having such a length to allow the simultaneity of intervention on the couple of opposite prehensile equipment.

The solution proposed solves entirely all the technological issues outlined above, offering a very compact universal industrial realization, with the lowest dimensions and the highest operational versatility, in the various phases of the different technological processes of filling and conditioning, also under controlled atmosphere.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention is now disclosed with reference to the schematic figures of the drawings attached, as a unrestricting example.

FIG. 1 shows an initial perspective view of the filling machine of envelopes and bags. It can be noticed the structure of the prismatic wheel has a polygonal form set up on each side with the operational equipment of the filling process. It should be noticed the entry of the empty bag S inside the start station for the feeding, and the removal of the filled and sealed bag S′″ in the final exit station.

The FIG. 1 bis indicates the filling machine protected by a bell (C) especially shaped and maintained saturated by a neutral fluid (N).

The FIG. 1 ter shows a tunnel shaped bell (C′).

FIG. 2 schematizes the set-up of each side of the prismatic wheel (G) with couples of opposite and closed prehensile equipments (M), whose horizontal mutual distance is regulated to handle bags or envelopes (S) having very large dimensions.

FIG. 3 schematizes the regulation of the reciprocal horizontal distance of the prehensile closed opposite equipments (M) to handle bags or envelopes (S) having small dimensions.

FIG. 4 shows the upper basis of the prismatic wheel (G) set up with moving bars (P), parallel to each side of the polygon, whose synchronized radial excursions cause, with their action, the simultaneous opening of the couple of opposite prehensile equipments (M) contrasting the relative compression return springs (H).

FIG. 5 shows the case in which the same set-up of the FIG. 4 remains unchanged even when the reciprocal horizontal distance of the opposite prehensile equipments M is regulated to handle bags or envelopes (S) having reduced dimension.

FIG. 6 shows the loading of the bag or envelope (S) in the first station. It can be noticed the intervention of the arm (B) oscillating around the pivot (F). It can be also noticed that the prehensile equipments (M′) are simultaneously opened by the bar kept in position (P′) by the pushing device indicated by the radial arrow (E), placed in the middle point of said bar.

FIG. 7 shows the bag or the envelope S already placed between the two opposite prehensile equipments M′ kept simultaneously open by the bar in position P′.

FIG. 8 shows the bag or the envelope (S) already caught simultaneously by both the opposite prehensile equipments (M), kept closed by the relative compression return springs (H).

FIG. 9 shows the following operational phase in the second station. In this station it can be noticed that the suction cups (V) are approaching the bag or envelope to be opened (S), while in the previous station the oscillating arm (B) is loading a new bag.

FIG. 10 shows in the second station the opening of the mouth of the envelope or bag (S′). It can be noticed that during the intervention of the suction cups (V) from the outside the prehensile equipments (M″) are steadily inclined simultaneously through the intervention schematized by the arrows (We), which indicate a push exerted on the pivoted rolls (R). Still in FIG. 10 one can notice that the oscillating arm (B) is again proceeding downwards.

FIG. 11 shows the position of the machine in the next station. It can be noticed that the bag or envelope S′, with the mouth already open but without the suction cups, is in rest position awaiting to be filled.

FIG. 12 shows the bag or envelope S′ already filled. It can be noticed that during the unfolding of the production process, the operations described above are repeated.

FIG. 13 shows the next phase and illustrates the bag S″ with the mouth re-closed for the elimination of the inclination of the prehensile equipments (M) by means of the pushing action schematized by the arrows (Wi) upon the rolls (R).

FIG. 14 shows the next station, in which the bag or envelope is sealed by the thermo-sealing pincers T.

FIG. 15 shows the final station and highlights the envelope or the bag (S′″) already fully filled, closed and sealed, ready to be discharged.

FIG. 16 shows the final station and represents the already discharged bag or envelope (S′″). One can notice, also in this FIG. 16, that the oscillating arm (B) is illustrated in a slightly lower position.

FIG. 17 shows a variation for the handling of bag or envelopes in a double row.

FIG. 18 shows a further variation for the handling of bag or envelopes in a triple row.

FIG. 19 a, b, c, d, e, f show polygonal wheels with a different number of sides.

FIG. 20 shows in a schematic diametric section the wheel (G) covered with a bell C kept saturated with inert gas (N), which is lighter than the air. It should be highlighted the fact the flow of inert gas is fed continuously and especially controlled by the device (A).

It should be noticed that the mouth (D) of the bag or envelope (S), sustained by suction cups (V′) applied to the branch (Z) of the oscillating arm (B), lies further ahead of said suction cups.

FIG. 21 shows the circumstance in which, while the oscillating arm B has assumed the horizontal position, the branch (Z) has placed itself vertically introducing from the bottom up the envelope or the bag (S) inside the open prehensile equipment M′, with the upper edge (D) of the still closed bag or envelope (S) higher up into the bell (C) saturated with neutral gas (N).

FIG. 22 highlights the circumstance that the bag or envelope (S′) inside the bell C is inflated with a stream (Q) of the same inert gas N that maintains saturated said bell (C).

FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 show in section the operational phases of the wheel (G) protected by the tunnel-shaped bell (C′).

In all figures each single detail is marked as follows:

-   A is a device that maintains inside the bell (C) an atmosphere of     inert gas lighter that air. -   B indicates an oscillating arm provided with suction cups to     introduce the bags or envelopes (S) inside the starting station. -   C is a bell covering the wheel (G). -   C′ is a bell shaped as a toroidal tunnel. -   D is the upper edge of the bag or envelope (S). -   E indicates emblematically the radial excursion of the bar (P′). -   F is the pivot of the oscillating arm B. -   G is the polygonal wheel. -   H are compression springs that contrast the opening of the couples     of opposite prehensile equipments (M). -   K indicates traction springs that contrast the radial excursions (E)     of the bars (P). -   L indicates a track on to the upper wall of the wheel G, which     guides the radial excursions E of the bars P. -   M indicates prehensile equipments in closed position. -   M′ indicates prehensile equipments in open position. -   M″ indicates prehensile equipments in inclined stance to open the     mouth of the bag or envelope (S′). -   N is the neutral gas saturating the bell (C). -   O indicates the orientation of the rotation of the wheel (G). -   P indicates the moving bars in rest position placed parallel to the     sides of the polygonal wheel (G). -   P′ indicate movable bars in operating position to open     simultaneously the couple of opposite prehensile equipments (M′). -   Q indicates the conduit that introduces inert gas directly inside     the bag or the envelope. -   R indicates rolls to incline and to eliminate the inclination of the     prehensile equipment. -   S indicates a bag or envelope in closed starting position. -   S′ indicates a bag or envelope with the mouth in opening position. -   S″ indicates a bag or envelope with mouth re-closed preset for the     thermo-sealing. -   S′″ indicates the finished bag or envelope. -   T indicates a device for the thermo-sealing of the mouth of bag or     envelope S′″. -   V indicates the suction cups that open the mouth (Z) of the bag or     envelope. -   V′ indicates the suction cups on the oscillating arm B. -   We represents emblematically the push that realizes the inclination     of opposite prehensile equipments (M″). -   Wi represents emblematically the push that eliminates the     inclination of the opposite prehensile equipments. -   Z indicates the folded branch of the oscillating arm (B).

The clearness of the figures and their descriptive synthesis highlights the original characteristics of the present finding. It needs to be highlighted the obvious circumstance that the dimensioning and the structural proportioning of the various operational equipments could be adapted to the evolving market needs.

It is understood that the polygon could have a number of sides that is different from the illustrated and the packages could be envelopes, small or large bags with gussets having large dimensions and being fed by near or remote production plants.

Now that all the specific peculiarities have been disclosed in the figures and the description, any average technician expert in the field will be able to realize, without any inventive effort, but with simple logical deductions, filling machines for envelopes or bags, even under controlled atmosphere, with polygonal wheel structure, set up on each side of the polygon with equipments having the features can be deduced from those basically described, illustrated and hereinafter claimed. 

1) A machine for filling bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, characterized by the fact that it consists of a prismatic wheel (G), having a polygonal shape and equipped on each side with at least a couple of opposite prehensile equipments (M), wherein the mutual horizontal distance between the at least a couple of opposite prehensile equipments (M) can be regulated to handle bags or envelopes (S) having different dimensions. 2) A machine for filling bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that on the upper basis of said prismatic wheel (G) are set up, parallel to each side of the polygon, movable bars (P) whose radial synchronized excursions determine the simultaneous opening of the couple of opposite prehensile equipments (M) and contrast the relative compression return springs (H). 3) A machine for filling bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, as in claim 2, characterized by the fact that the radial excursions of the movable bars (P) are actuated by internal radial pushers that exert their push (E) on the mid point of said moving bars (P) contrasting with the traction springs (K). 4) A machine for filling bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that the opposite prehensile equipments (M), especially pivoted, are steadily inclined (M″) by the push (We) exerted on rolls (R), then later brought back steadily to the initial conditions by the push (WI) exerted on the rolls (R) with the goal of optimizing the opening or the closing of the mouths of bags and envelopes. 5) A machine for filling bags or envelopes, also under controlled atmosphere, as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that during the unfolding of the technological process, in the different phases of initial insertion, opening, closing, filling, re-closing and final sealing, the bag or envelope is always protected inside a bell (C; C), kept saturated by the controlled flow of inert gas (N.) 6) A machine for filling bags or envelopes as in claim 5, characterized by the fact that the bell has a toroidal tunnel shape.
 7. A machine for filling bags or envelopes comprising: a wheel; a polygonal form having a plurality of sides mounted on said wheel; opposing prehensile equipment mounted on each of the plurality of sides of said polygonal form, said opposing prehensile equipment having a horizontal distance there between, whereby a predetermined size bag may be held between said opposing prehensile equipment; and means for adjusting the horizontal distance, whereby the horizontal distance can be regulated to handle bags or envelopes having different dimensions.
 8. A machine for filling bags or envelopes as in claim 7 further comprising: means for inclining a stance of said opposing prehensile equipment, whereby a mouth of the predetermined size bag is held open.
 9. A machine for filling bags or envelopes as in claim 8 wherein: said means for inclining a stance of said opposing prehensile equipment comprises rollers.
 10. A machine for filling bags or envelopes as in claim 7 further comprising: a bell covering said polygonal form, whereby an inert gas can be contained while a bag or envelope is filed.
 11. A machine for filling bags or envelopes in a controlled atmosphere comprising: a wheel; a polygonal form having a plurality of sides mounted on said wheel; opposing prehensile equipment mounted on each of said plurality of sides of said polygonal form, said opposing prehensile equipment having a horizontal distance there between, whereby a predetermined size bag may be held between said opposing prehensile equipment; a bell capable of holding an inert gas and open on a bottom side placed over said polygon form and said opposing prehensile equipment; an oscillating arm provided with suction cups, said oscillating arm positioned to pivot upward towards the bottom side of said bell and place the predetermined size bag between said opposing prehensile equipment, wherein said oscillating arm picks up a predetermined size bag and orients a mouth of the predetermined size bag past the bottom side of said bell, whereby the mouth of the predetermined size bag may be held within the inert gas; means for inclining a stance of said opposing prehensile equipment, whereby a mouth of the predetermined size bag is held open; means for filing the predetermined size bag; and means for sealing the predetermined size bag, whereby the predetermined size bag is held open, filed, and sealed in the inert gas or controlled atmosphere. 